In short: The Malayalam (Kollam-era) calendar has 12 months starting with ചിങ്ങം (Chingam) (Aug–Sep). The rest: കന്നി (Kanni), തുലാം (Thulaam), വൃശ്ചികം (Vrishchikam), ധനു (Dhanu), മകരം (Makaram), കുംഭം (Kumbham), മീനം (Meenam), മേടം (Medam), ഇടവം (Idavam), മിഥുനം (Mithunam), കർക്കടകം (Karkkadakam). For everyday dates, people usually use the English month names.
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ചിങ്ങം · കന്നി | Chingam · Kanni | Aug–Sep · Sep–Oct |
| തുലാം · വൃശ്ചികം | Thulaam · Vrishchikam | Oct–Nov · Nov–Dec |
| മകരം · കുംഭം | Makaram · Kumbham | Jan–Feb · Feb–Mar |
| കർക്കടകം | Karkkadakam | Jul–Aug (monsoon month) |
When & how to use it
The Malayalam calendar matters for festivals (Onam falls in Chingam). For day-to-day dates, English month names are normal in speech.
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ചിങ്ങം ഒന്നിനാ ഓണം. | Chingam onninaa Onam. | Onam falls on the 1st of Chingam. |
| കർക്കടകം മഴക്കാലമാ. | Karkkadakam mazhakkaalamaa. | Karkkadakam is the monsoon season. |
Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 10 - Time, Days & Dates in the free Listen & Learn library — every line has a Malayalam, romanised and English transcript.
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Book a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What are the Malayalam months?
Twelve, starting with Chingam: Chingam, Kanni, Thulaam, Vrishchikam, Dhanu, Makaram, Kumbham, Meenam, Medam, Idavam, Mithunam, Karkkadakam.
Which Malayalam month is Onam in?
Onam is celebrated in ചിങ്ങം (Chingam) (Aug–Sep).
Do Malayalis use these months daily?
For festivals yes; for everyday dates, English month names are common.
What is Karkkadakam?
The monsoon month (Jul–Aug), traditionally a time of rest and Ayurveda.